There are two high schools located a few miles apart on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation in northcentral Montana.

And they’re both producing good vibes for the many basketball fans who live there.

“Everybody,” said Mona Sunchild, “is pretty proud.”

Sunchild is athletic director at Rocky Boy High, which will be represented by both its boys’ and girls’ teams on Thursday at the State B tournament in Missoula.

A talented girls’ team from Box Elder High, meanwhile, will be playing at the State C tournament in Butte.

That’s three superb teams, from high schools located close to each other, all composed largely of Chippewa Cree from the same reservation. And all bound for the state basketball tournament.

Talk about good times.

“Not taking anything away from the boys, because I love my boys,” Sunchild said when asked about her Rocky Boy teams. “But our girls are making history.”

Rocky Boy High went from Class C to B nearly 10 years ago. This is the first time the girls’ team has qualified for a State B tournament. The Morning Stars won the District 2B meet in Wolf Point a few weeks ago and prevailed at the Northern B tourney last weekend in Cut Bank.

A fine boys’ team from Rocky Boy, meanwhile, earned a State B berth by edging Fairfield in a memorable challenge game 10 days ago at CMR Fieldhouse.

Great Falls fans also know much of the Box Elder girls, who earned a State C berth two weeks ago after defeating a previously unbeaten Belt High team in a semifinal Northern C game at Four Seasons Arena that was also highly entertaining and memorable.

All the winning basketball on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation has helped deal with this loser of a winter we’ve had.

“It’s been tough for a lot of teams, with the weather and roads,” Sunchild said. “Folks here are very excited about our teams. We’re all thankful.”

She’s been working in the Rocky Boy school system for 37 years and has been the athletic director since 1991.

“I’m going to remember this winter and I’m going to remember these girls,” she said. “I love my boys, but the girls’ team is making history.”

For certain, it’s fun this time of year.

“When you’re winning everything is great,” Sunchild said. “But I’m in the classroom, too, making sure they all understand that academics comes first.”

Cameron McCormick grew up in the tradition-rich basketball town of Lodge Grass and played for famed coach Gordon Real Bird Sr. at Little Bighorn College. The head coach of the Rocky Boy girls’ team is grateful.

“No words can express how much,” McCormick said. “I’m thankful to be a part of this.

“I really believe that if we reach our potential, and Lord willing we will, that we’ll be playing Saturday night in Missoula.”

The Rocky Boy girls meet Townsend Thursday afternoon at 3:30 in the first round.

“We have only three seniors and they’re the leaders,” McCormick said. “Adrienne Gopher averages about 19 points a game. Probably our most valuable player is our point guard, Sean Henry, who averages 16 points and 7 assists.

“And Jaylynn Mitchell is our anchor in the post.”

Mitchell had 20 points against Wolf Point in the Northern B title game.

Gopher has great range from 3-point range. Henry is adept at taking it to the hole.

“When we’re able to get going,” McCormick said, “it’s exciting to watch.”

He said Morning Stars have adopted an acronym, TEAM, that stands for “Together our Exploits will Amaze Many.”

“There’s been adversity,” McCormick said. “We’ve had issues. I’m just a second-year coach, but I let the girls know that I’m carrying the weight. That the pressure’s on me.

“We’ve overcome a lot, though, and if we can come together and become a team, all the way down from myself to the players, our managers and our parents – if we can become a team I really believe we’ll be playing on Saturday night in Missoula.”

That’s what all team and fans hope for, of course. It doesn’t seem to be out of reach for the three high school squads from the Rocky Boy’s Reservation.